News
SPECTRUM NEWS: ‘It’s a very challenging situation’: Couple living with disabilities shares struggles of needing at-home aides
By SD Network, 2022-10-22
For decades, Mark Laing and Luanne McGregor have needed home health care aides. If someone doesn’t show up for them, that means they don’t get out of bed. The couple said their hope is to have better pay for their caregivers. They believe it may be a systematic issue of low pay and short staffing that leads to people not showing up.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: ACL Launches National Center to Strengthen the Direct Care Workforce
By SD Network, 2022-10-22
The Administration for Community Living has awarded a five-year grant totaling over $6 million to establish a national center to expand and strengthen the direct care workforce across the country. In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening the care economy, this initiative will provide technical assistance to states and service providers and facilitate collaboration with stakeholders to improve recruitment, retention, training, and professional development of the direct care workers who provide the critical services that make it possible for people with disabilities and older adults to live in their own homes and communities.
The center will harness the power of a team of organizations with expertise in disability, aging, and workforce issues, including several organizations that are part of ACL’s disability and aging networks. Led by the National Council on Aging, partners include the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, ADvancing States, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration, the National Alliance for Caregiving, Lincoln University Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging, the Green House Project, Social Policy Research Associates, and Housing Innovations.
“The shortage of direct care workers has become a national crisis and a serious civil rights issue,” said ACL Acting Administrator Alison Barkoff. “Increasing numbers of people with disabilities and older adults who want to live in the community – a right protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights laws – are unable to get the services they need to do so. The Direct Care Workforce Capacity Building Center is an important step toward addressing the challenges to recruiting, training and retention of these critical professionals and creating the robust, stable workforce we need to meet growing needs.”
Long-standing workforce shortages have reached crisis levels during the COVID-19 pandemic; today, more than three-quarters of service providers are not accepting new clients and more than half have cut services as a result of the direct care workforce shortage. High turnover – averaging nearly 44 percent across states – also mean that people who are able to get services often experience service disruptions and receive inconsistent care. As a result, increasing numbers of people are left with no option but to move to nursing homes and other institutions, people who want to leave these facilities cannot, and the health and safety of those who live in the community is at risk. In addition to undermining people’s civil right to community living, this leads to poorer health outcomes and higher costs of care, which are most often borne by taxpayers.
With demand for home and community-based services increasing, due in part to the rapidly growing populations of older adults and people with disabilities, more than 1.3 million new jobs for direct care workers will be created by 2030. A coordinated, national effort to improve our national capacity to recruit, train and retain a high-quality, competent, and effective direct care workforce has never been more important.
The national Direct Care Workforce Capacity Building Center will serve as a hub, providing tools, resources and training to assist state systems and service providers and to support the development and coordination of policies and programs that contribute to a stable, robust direct care workforce. The center’s website will share resources from the federal government, highlight state and local model policies and best practices that can be replicated or adapted, and share training and technical assistance materials. In addition, the center will facilitate peer-to-peer sharing of lessons learned and promising practices through learning collaboratives and support collaboration between state systems, including Medicaid, aging, disability, and workforce agencies; service providers; and aging, disability and labor stakeholders.
The center will support stakeholders in tackling key issues affecting recruiting and retention, such as:
- Poor wages: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, direct care workers were paid a median hourly wage of $14.20 in 2021. According to a report from PHI, in 2020, about two in five direct care workers used public assistance programs; a little over a quarter were enrolled in Medicaid and just under a quarter used nutrition assistance programs.
- Lack of benefits: According to the same report, in 2020, less than half had health insurance through their employer or a union (and 13 percent had no health insurance at all). Many do not have paid sick days or family/medical leave.
- Limited opportunities for career advancement and professional recognition.
The center also will support stakeholders in developing or leveraging existing training and professional development to strengthen the quality of services.
This initiative builds upon the ongoing collaboration to strengthen the direct care workforce between ACL, the Department of Labor, and other HHS agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
SOUTHEAST ADA CENTER: Southwest ADA Center seeks participants to share their experiences in using service animals and other assistance animals at work:
By SD Network, 2022-10-22
BLOOMBERG: Disabled Americans Reap Remote-Work Reward in Record Employment
By SD Network, 2022-10-22
Adults with disabilities rarely have been employed at such a high rate as now. This is in large part thanks to the pandemic. When COVID hit, almost every job switched to being done remotely. This eliminated one of the biggest employment barriers for people with disabilities--the need for transportation to and from work. Employers realized that so much could be done virtually . Even with the pandemic winding down, people seem to think that working remotely will continue to be an option for years to come.
THE WASHINGTON POST: Opinion: Care work is in crisis. That’s a disaster for the rest of the economy.
By SD Network, 2022-10-22
There are worker shortages in every field of the economy. This Op ed in The Washington Post explains why the care worker shortage is a crisis and a disaster for the rest of the economy. It talks about how how not having enough caregivers leads to people not being able to fill jobs in the rest of the economy. The rate of pay for caregivers is a major contributing factor in this.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO: New initiative seeks to improve access to the Apostle Islands for people living with disabilities
By SD Network, 2022-10-22
Sightseeing the Apostle Islands is often challenging for people who have mobility impairments.The nonprofit group Friends of the Apostle Islands plans to raise $325,000 by the end of next year to build a roughly 500-foot ramp that slopes gradually down to Meyers Beach. The National Park Service is expected to match that amount to fund construction of the project, which could begin as early as 2024. Beyond addressing mobility issues, the park has added audio devices at its visitors center and interpretative displays at Michigan Island and Little Sand Bay. For those who are blind or vision-impaired, the park offers a Junior Ranger booklet and brochure with maps in braille.
HEALTH AFFAIRS: Personal Care Aides: Assessing Self-Care Needs And Worker Shortages In Rural Areas
By SD Network, 2022-10-11
Increasing wages and benefits, improving training and career development options, adding flexibility to state Medicaid waiver programs to pay family caregivers for providing personal care services, providing incentives and compensation for travel, and new data collection and tracking efforts would go a long way toward improving the personal care aide workforce in rural America.
Despite a surge in hiring of digital accessibility specialists, as of 2022, only 3% of the Internet is fully accessible to people with disabilities. Only 26% of business owners the majority of business owners still don't know how to make their websites accessible. This article explains the complexities and challenges of making the Internet accessible to everyone.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: ACL Now Accepting Comments on the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
By SD Network, 2022-10-11
Comment period will remain open through November 30The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (the strategy) is now available for public comment for a period of 60 days. Comments received from the public will be used to inform the ongoing work of two Congressionally mandated caregiving advisory councils, as well as to inform future updates to the strategy.The strategy is intended to serve as a national roadmap for better recognizing and supporting family and kinship caregivers of all ages, backgrounds, and caregiving situations. It includes nearly 350 actions the federal government will take to support family caregivers in the coming years and more than 150 actions that can be adopted at other levels of government and across the private sector to build a system to support family caregivers. The strategy was developed jointly by the advisory councils established by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) Act, with extensive input from family caregivers, the people they support, and other stakeholders. Each year, around 53 million people provide a broad range of assistance to support the health, quality of life and independence of a person close to them who needs assistance as they age or due to a disability or chronic health condition. Another 2.7 million grandparent caregivers – and an unknown number of other relative caregivers – open their arms and homes each year to millions of children who cannot remain with their parents. Millions of older adults and people with disabilities would not be able to live in their communities without this essential support – and replacing it with paid services would cost an estimated $470 billion each year. While family caregiving is rewarding, it can be challenging, and when caregivers do not have the support they need, their health, wellbeing and quality of life often suffer. Their financial future can also be put at risk; lost income due to family caregiving is estimated at $522 billion each year. When the challenges become overwhelming and family caregivers no longer can provide support, the people they care for often are left with no choices except moving to nursing homes and other institutions or to foster care – the cost of which is typically borne by taxpayers. ACL is requesting comments on:
For additional information about the strategy, contact Greg Link. |
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Self-Determination Network News:
October 2022
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/
We're looking forward to seeing many of you next week at the Self-Determination Conference. InControl Wisconsin will have an exhibit table at The conference and we'd love it if people stop by and say hi! The week after the conference, we'll start a discussion on the Network for people to share their thoughts and experiences about the conference. Watch for an email the week after with a link and continue the great conversation!
Survival Coalition Family Caregiver Survey Results
The Survival Coalition (which InControl Wisconsin is part of) would like to thank everyone who took the Family Caregiver Survey. Here is a summary of the results. Survival Coalition recently held a press event sharing the results of the survey, and family caregivers and those with needing care shared their personal experiences and struggles about the caregiver shortage crisis. We encourage you to share your personal stories about the crisis and ask legislators to make helping family caregivers a priority in the next state budget.
November 8th Election
Wisconsin will hold a mid-term election on Tuesday November 8th. We want to thank the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition for providing us with the following information regarding absentee ballots.
Absentee Voting for the November 8th Election: New Guidance
Are you voting by mail for the November 8th election? Make sure you know your rights.
Ballot Return Assistance
An August 31st federal court order clarified that federal law protects the right of all disabled Wisconsin voters to receive assistance to mail or deliver their absentee ballots, or to assist with any part of the voting process.
Voters with a disability may request assistance with voting from a person of their choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter’s union. Voters should let their assistor know that clerks may ask their “assistor” to confirm that they are returning a ballot for a person with a disability. The voter and assistor should not have to fill out any forms or provide proof of disability.
Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) has guidance for voters who need assistance mailing or returning their absentee ballot:
Completing and Returning Your Ballot
Make sure your vote counts! Carefully follow the instructions for completing your absentee ballot and the certificate envelope. Make sure that your witness signs their name and records their complete address on the envelope including street number, street name, municipality, state and zip code. Clerks are no longer able to correct missing or incomplete witness address information.
Drop boxes are no longer allowed for ballot return. You will need to return your ballot by mail or deliver your ballot in person to your clerk or clerk’s office by Election Day.
- If you are mailing your completed ballot, be sure to allow plenty of time for mail delivery, to make sure your ballot arrives in time.
- If you or an assistor are delivering your ballot, it must be returned by 8 PM on Election Day.
- You may check with your Municipal Clerk to determine where your assistor should deliver your ballot. Find contact information for your Clerk on My Vote Wisconsin.
If you have questions or experiences barriers to voting, please contact DRW.
DRW Voter Hotline: call 844-347-8683 or email info@disabilityvote.org
The Self-Determination Network includes some very talented members and we want to help you to get to know each other a little better. Member Spotlight is a great way for us to get to know each other better.
This month, we shined the spotlight on Jennie. This incredible self-advocate enjoys attending advocacy conferences, and she's learning about supported decision making. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Jennie.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
Check out the Latest Videos!
The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy.
Check out the newest videos on the channel:
- Human Rights: #1 Live Where You Want
- Human Rights: #2 Make Your Own Choices
We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Augmentitive and Alternative Communication Survey: Mike posted about an opportunity to participate in a survey about Augmentitive and Alternative Communication. Learn more about this opportunity!
- Importance of DSPs in the Workplace: Everyday, thousands of Direct Support Professionals assist people with disabilities in the workplace. In honor of DSP Recognition Week, the Department of Labor put together a webpage talking about their contributions and access to resources for them. Check it out.
- Language Change in US Code: A bill eliminating the term "mentally retarded" from the US code was recently introduced to the US House of Representatives. Learn why this is finally being done.
- Self-Direction Call for Presenters: Applications to present during a virtual self-direction conference series in 2023 are now being accepted. Applications due October 20th.
- Survey on Access to Healthcare: The Southwest ADA Center is conducting a study on the experiences of people with disabilities with their accessibility of healthcare. Take a few minutes to complete the survey.
- National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers: The US Department of Health and Human Services released a roadmap needed to better support family caregivers. Learn about some of actions suggested.
- 10 Things to Know: Millions of people use long-term services and supports delivered in home and community based settings. Find out 10 facts about long-term care.
- Hackers out of Necessity: People with disabilities often become " hackers" because they are forced to figure out how to adapt things to make things functional for them. Read this incredible essay by a son of two parents who have physical limitations comparing their navigating their world to skateboarding.
- Public Comment on Accessibility Guidelines for Transaction Machines: The US Access Board is seeking public comment on accessibility guidelines for self-service transaction machines. Give your feedback!
- Seeking Information on Person-Centered Planning for Multiple Chronic Conditions: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking public comment about comprehensive, longitudinal, person-centered care planning for people at risk for or living with multiple chronic conditions. Comments due November 20th .
- Disability Employment Awareness Month: October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Read the declaration President Biden released.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: States’ Journey In Using American Rescue Plan Funding To Increase Competitive, Integrated Employment: October 11th, 2p.m. to 3:30p.m., Online
- Webinar: Accessible Camping: October 13, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Webinar: Disability And DEI (Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion) Panel Discussion: October 13, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- INTEGRAL Adult Autism Conference: November 5th, Online
Post your event on the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? Contact Stacy Ellingen.
The Self-Determination Network is powered by InControl Wisconsin and supported financially by our members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.